1
as in temple
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship
a city that is noted for its many historic churches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in congregation
a body of persons gathered for religious worship
spoke to the whole church at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church
a time when few young men seem to want to join the church
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of church
Under the terms of his original indenture of trust, Mr. Duke established four giving priorities — child and family well-being, health care, higher education and rural United Methodist churches and communities.
—
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Dylann Roof, who killed nine people at a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, was known to hang out in white-supremacist forums.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
According to Mexican lore about how poinsettias became a Christmas flower, a child named Pepita was too poor to bring a gift to decorate the church for Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2024
Nearly half a dozen of these schools once operated in California, some in Southern California cities such as Banning and San Diego, sometimes run by the Catholic church.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for church 
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Dylann Roof, who killed nine people at a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, was known to hang out in white-supremacist forums.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
According to Mexican lore about how poinsettias became a Christmas flower, a child named Pepita was too poor to bring a gift to decorate the church for Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2024
Nearly half a dozen of these schools once operated in California, some in Southern California cities such as Banning and San Diego, sometimes run by the Catholic church.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
-
The temple is also notable thanks to its potential connection to the iconic ruler Queen Cleopatra VII.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
-
But those efforts have faced backlash, including threats against Everett and other members, and the temple warns parents of potential pushback when they get involved.Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
To raise money, the congregation is selling Christmas tamales and hosting a tamale-making class on Friday.Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
-
After blessing the holy water, the archbishop will sprinkle it over the congregation and then the altar.Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
As part of this rebirth, fashion designer and artist Jean-Charles de Castelbajac was asked to create new vestments, or special service garments, for the cathedral’s clergy.AJ Willingham, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
-
The clergy mentioned by the victims Friday included Stephen Keistle, John T. McCracken, George Francis and Donald Brodersen.Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The chapel regularly hosts arts and culture exhibitions and has collaborated with the lab on other tech projects, including a VR experience of the 18th century space.Leslie Katz, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
-
The magnificence of the technology is on full display in a bravura sequence in which Tóth and Van Buren travel to the marble quarries of Carrara, Italy, to select a piece of stone for the altarpiece that will sit in the Institute’s chapel.Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Fabric of rebirth The iconic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris is finally open to the public again after a devastating fire damaged it five years ago.AJ Willingham, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
-
The ceremony to mark the cathedral's return to religious services featured guests such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump, first lady Jill Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the U.K.'s Prince William.Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The demand of the people, of the families, of the fallen, must permeate here, must be reflected from here, must become a decree engraved on the walls of this tabernacle.David Isaac, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024
-
In his hometown of Nashville, Kearney will play the Roman Theatre, a former tabernacle and home to the Grand Ol’ Opry.Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 30 July 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near church
Cite this Entry
“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share